SEC Football

1. Will Muschamp assesses Florida football: “We’re an ascending program.” Muschamp a more popular man this offseason vs. last.

2. A review of the lines for season openers in  the Nick Saban era at Alabama.  Crimson Tide open as a 22-point favorite against Virginia Tech – haven’t been underdog since 2009 SEC Championship Game.

3. Saban asks North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams for advice on how to defend up-tempo offenses.

4. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn talks depth chart – quarterbacks Kiehl Frazier and Jonathan Wallace even. “Dead heat” battle gets a new entrant this month with arrival of  JUCO transfer Nick Marshall.

5. Auburn safety Demetruce McNeal is back in good standing with the team.  Malzahn: ”We took care of all the off-the-field issues that we had, so he is going to be in the mix.”

6. Texas A&M announces expansion plans for Kyle Field - but what happens when the newness wears off? “You have to go back only a couple of years when — other than the Texas game — sellouts were few and far between.”

7. LSU running back Jeremy Hill, not formally charged yet for his role in a bar fight, won’t face a judge this week regarding probation for a prior case.

8. Tennessee offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James on learning to be a leader: ”Leadership is hard, because it’s making decisions first of all upon yourself and living the right way…”

9. Who would you take – Johnny Manziel, AJ McCarron or Aaron Murray?  When it comes to the NFL draft, here’s one vote for Murray.

SEC Basketball

10. Guard Brian Greene, Jr. is leaving Auburn.  Rutgers point guard Jerome Seagears will transfer to Auburn.

11. Klem Ogbueze  on the decision by his brother, Braxton Ogbueze, to transfer out of Florida. “He should have been playing. There were some teammates, some people on the coaching staff that felt he should have been playing more.”

12. Kentucky unveils its non-conference schedule – five opponents that ended the year with a top 50 RPI.

13. Andy Katz asks – can we do away with two NBA draft deadlines?

SEC/College News

14. A record $71 million surplus for the NCAA in 2012.

15. “The entire concept of college sports amateurism belongs in history’s dustbin.”

16. NCAA officials meeting today to discuss revising a handful of recruiting deregulations.

17. The financial gap between Alabama and Auburn – “Alabama generated $18.9 million more in revenue than Auburn last year, marking the fifth straight year Alabama’s advantage exceeded at least $13 million.”

18. Update on status of two lawsuits filed against the University of Tennessee by current/former athletic department employees.

SEC/NFL Draft

19. Father of former Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray on the NFL draft. “I know I’m his parent, but I don’t see how 11 quarterbacks get picked, and the best quarterback physically is not picked.”

20. Former LSU cornerback Tharold Simon, drafted by Seattle, addresses his arrest last week. “I had 30 witnesses right there that know I didn’t do anything wrong.”

21. More undrafted Ole Miss players sign free-agent contracts.

22. Missouri fans, did you know you had a fullback last season?  Jared McGriff-Culver gets a shot with the Oakland Raiders.

Extra

23. Is Knoxville, Tennessee the most perfectly average place in America?

Alabama sophomore guard Trevor Lacey has decided to transfer and has been granted his release, the school announced Tuesday.

Lacey called the move a “family decision” in a statement released by the school.

“This definitely was not an easy decision to make,” Lacey said. “It’s been great at Alabama during my two years. It was tough my freshman year coming off surgery and having to work my way back. I wanted to improve during my sophomore season and I thought I did that. I want to thank the coaches and staff, my teammates and all the fans for their support.”

Lacey was a key all-around contributor for Alabama last season, averaging 11.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. The Huntsville, Ala., native was the only player to start all 36 games for the Crimson Tide.

As you might have seen in our headlines package today, former Alabama offensive lineman DJ Fluker posted the following message on Twitter early this morning:

The tweet was quickly taken down but the deed was done.  Half the people up after midnight — and studying Twitter? — caught it, took a screengrab of it, or retweeted it.  Fluker’s agent then said his client’s Twitter feed had been hacked.

Everyone in crimson pajamas said, “Hell, yeah, it was hacked!”

Auburn fans collapsed in fits of transcendental joy.

Everyone else pretty much just scoffed at the idea that the big guy’s feed was hacked.

So just how realistic is the “I was hacked” defense?  Well, Twitter is having problems with miscreants hacking into the accounts of some of the biggest companies and brands in America.  So much so that Twitter is hiring new security personnel.  There are also numerous smartphone apps on the market that can be used to help hack Twitter and other social media accounts.  (UPDATE — The Associated Press’ Twitter feed was hacked just today.)

In other words, it’s quite possible someone could have hacked into Fluker’s account (of all people).  And posted a fake tweet from him (after midnight).

His account is currently down so anyone hoping to do a writing comparison between the above post and previous Fluker tweets is out of luck.

For now, the “I was hacked” defense does hold water because it’s certainly possible for folks to waste their energies and time on such projects.  But the reality is your belief in the defense put forth by Fluker’s agent will likely depend upon whether you’re a Crimson Tide fan or not.

Fluker is a potential first-round pick in this week’s NFL draft.

UPDATE – Fluker’s agent, Deryk Gilmore, has said this morning: “We know who did this.  This is totally fiction, but I’m waiting to get some proof.  I’ve been on the phone with Twitter.”

Alabama’s Nick Saban has plenty of praise for the leadership skills exhibited by his starting quarterback, AJ McCarron.  Well, today he does.

Saban shared an anecdote about his QB’s growth at a benefit dinner in McCarron’s hometown of Mobile last night:

“I remember the first scrimmage AJ was in, we made him play with the threes.  He was hot behind the collar and fussing out on the field and stormed up to my office when the scrimmage was over and said, ‘How come you made me play with the threes?  I thought I was going to be with the twos.’  I said, ‘We’re only evaluating your leadership today and you failed.’…

He has come a long way.  Now he is the best leader on our team, and has been, and is one of the best quarterbacks in the country.  We’re certainly pleased and proud to have him being our quarterback.”

With two BCS championships on his resume already, McCarron should be considered among the greatest Alabama quarterbacks of all time.  If he leads the Crimson Tide to another title next January, his name will deservedly be etched alongside the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the college game.

SEC Football

1. Kentucky has a chance to double its spring-game attendance record tonight. 49,000 tickets distributed plus another 11,000 given to elementary and middle school students.

2. At Texas A&M’s spring game today, all eyes on quarterback Johnny Manziel.

3. Don’t expect starters to get much playing time at today’s South Carolina spring game . Coaches want to get young players some experience.

4. First team vs. second team at Vanderbilt’s spring game.  Coach James Franklin: “The gap between our ones and our twos is not like what it used to be.”

5. Former LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu on his failed drug tests: “I don’t remember saying a specific number. I said I’ve failed several drug tests.”

6. Expect a more “game-like” scrimmage today at Alabama. Crimson Tide off Sunday and then head to the White House on Monday.

7. More than 1,600 coaches watched Alabama practice Friday.

8. Auburn running back Tre Mason battling an ankle injury, not participating in full-contact drills.

9. Second scrimmage of the spring today at Auburn.  Coaches seeking major improvement.  Offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee: “We’re looking for a big jump.”

10. Verdict on second Mississippi State scrimmage? Defense dominated.

11. Tennessee coach Butch Jones and Peyton Manning – a mutual admiration society.

12. Evan Boehm started every game for Missouri at left guard as a true freshman.  His sophomore season will see him under center.

SEC News

13. The NCAA director of enforcement is leaving his job and returning to Auburn. Dave Didion will join Auburn’s compliance department, a post he left in 1999 to go to the NCAA.

14. Auburn’s board of trustees approve plan to redevelop Toomer’s Corner - will plant new trees.

15. A posthumous appointment for Mal Moore at Alabama.  Board of trustees name him Athletic Director Emeritus.

16. How are Tennessee athletics faring under A.D. Dave Hart?

17. Seton Hall guard Aaron Crosby transferring to Illinois - was also considering Missouri.

Extras

18. Louisville coach Rick Pitino will get a tattoo on his shoulder next month.

19. Some PR advice for Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops: “Just don’t trout out the Hungry Sunday line. At least not for public consumption.”

20. Tim Tebow – Great Floridian.

1. Alabama right guard Anthony Steen is trying to develop into a leader for the Crimson Tide.

2. Alabama returned to practice Monday following spring break. It wasn’t a great practice.

3. Andrew Gribble and Don Kausler discuss Alabama’s return to practice following spring break.

4. Auburn’s LaDarius Owens is feeling more comfortable now that he’s playing linebacker again.

5. Justin Garrett is more comfortable, too. He’s playing the “Star” position for Auburn.

6. Those comments about Nick Saban? Arkansas coach Bret Bielema says they were only a joke.

7. Columnist Kevin Scarbinsky reminds Bielema he’s not in the Big Ten anymore.

8. Florida has plenty of competition at running back as the Gators try to replace Mike Gillislee.

9. Florida’s basketball team is losing key contributors but returning guard Scottie Wilbekin believes the Gators will be deep.

10. One key player in that depth could be center Patric Young, who hasn’t decided if he will return for his senior year.

11. The return of linebacker D.T. Shackelford has provided a big boost for the Ole Miss defense.

12. Here some notes following Ole Miss’ Monday night practice.

13. Mississippi State finalized its 2014 non-conference schedule by adding Tennessee-Martin.

14. Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel will throw out the first pitch at Sunday’s Texas Rangers game.

15. Chris Conley’s presence should help Georgia replace some departing wide receivers.

16. Center Willie Cauley-Stein will return to Kentucky. ESPN’s Chad Ford believes forward Alex Poythress should return, too.

17. Tennessee’s maturity will be tested as it returns to football practice following spring practice.

Extras

18. The Pac-12′s head of officials has been investigated for comments he made about Arizona coach Sean Miller.

19. That head of official, Ed Rush, must be fired, writes Gary Parrish.

20. Southern California has hired coach Andy Enfield away from Florida Gulf Coast.

21. Former Georgia, Kentucky and Minnesota coach Tubby Smith has been hired at Texas Tech.

Just days after stepping away from his role as Alabama athletic director, Mal Moore has died.  The 73-year-old who’d been connected with Crimson Tide athletics for six decades died today at Duke University Medical Center.

Moore had been battling serious heart problems for the past month.  Alabama’s new AD, Bill Battle, said in a UA press release:

“The University of Alabama and the world of intercollegiate athletics have lost a legend, and I have lost a dear friend.  My heart goes out to his family and close friends in this time of sadness. After a time of grieving, we can begin to celebrate Mal’s life, as his legacy will last for generations.”

Nick Saban was also quoted in a press release:

“Mal was truly a special person in every sense of the word.  We can talk about all the championships Mal has been involved with, but I think what will be remembered most was the man he was.  He always put the best interests of others ahead of his own, he carried himself as a first-class gentleman, and he helped bring out the best in those around him.

Mal was an outstanding leader in terms of all he did for Alabama athletics.  Most importantly, he was a great friend to me and my family.  Mal was the No. 1 reason we decided to make the move to Tuscaloosa.”

Our sympathies go out to Moore’s family, as well as the University of Alabama family.

Alabama made it close but could never take the lead in the second half.   Down by seven points at halftime, the Crimson Tide had a chance to win it at the end thanks to two missed Maryland free throws with 27 seconds left.  But a last-second jumper by Trevor Lacey bounced off off the rim as time expired on the Alabama season.

Levi Randolph led Alabama with 15 points.  Rodney Cooper added 13 points and Trevor Releford scored 11.

- Crimson Tide shot 40.7% from the field (22-54) while Maryland shot 50% (23-46).

-Maryland outrebounded Alabama 31-23.

-Alabama connected on 4-15 three point shots (26.7%) while Maryland made 7-15 (46.7%).

Maryland advances to the NIT semi-finals.  With the Alabama loss, Florida is only remaining SEC team in postseason play.

As pointed out here, this marks the second straight year Alabama’s season ends with a 58-57 loss.  Last year, Creighton took out Alabama in the NCAA Tournament by that score.

Amazing.

Somehow we’re already a sixth of the way through 2013.  Blink and it will be football season again.  The old adage about time moving faster the older you get?  Yeah, it’s true.  If only I’d believed that at 25 I’d have stopped more often and smelled a few more roses.

Instead my 20s were just one big enjoyable blur.  Followed by a rapid decline into decrepitude.  Ah, well.

The thought/lyric of the day comes from The Grateful Dead.  It’s the Dead’s first appearance on the site.  And it’s placement today has absolutely nothing to do — as far as you know — with all the Alabama fans claiming this we at MrSEC.com hate their Crimson Tide because we dared to say we would have booted two players two weeks quicker than Nick Saban did.  Egads.  In hindsight, maybe we should have displayed our hate for Saban and Bama a day earlier, too… instead of writing this.  Guess we’re just not too good at carrying out vendettas… way too wishy-washy in who we hate from day to day.

“Alabama getaway.  Alabama getaway.  Only way to please me — turn around and leave and walk away.”

Some good news for Florida basketball.  Coach Billy Donovan says forward Will Yeguete is making such a rapid recovery from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, he could ready for Florida’s game against Alabama on March 2nd in Gainesville.

“Yeguete is doing some light running, which is a good sign. I think he’s ahead of schedule from where we first thought it was going to be.

“Potentially, if the doctors clear him, there’s probably an outside chance he can maybe play in the last three games of the [regular season]. There’s a possibility of that. I’m not saying it’s a guarantee. That will depend on how he responds. He’s moving quicker than I think the doctors thought.”

At 11-3 in the conference, the Gators are just one game ahead of the Crimson Tide.  Yeguete is the team’s second-leading rebounder. He underwent surgery on February 8th with an original estimate that he would miss four to six weeks.

The Alabama-Florida game will be televised by ESPN.